Actively Recruiting
Identifying the Neural Correlates of Mental Simulation in Multi-Step Planning
Led by New York University · Updated on 2026-01-08
50
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
39 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
New York University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how the brain supports multi-step planning by examining whether people mentally simulate promising future moves while deciding their next action. This research involves healthy adults and focuses on understanding the neural basis of planning using a strategy game called "Four-in-a-Row," similar to Connect Four. The study aims to characterize brain activity linked to mental simulation and decision-making during gameplay. Participants will take part in two sessions on consecutive days. The first session is an online behavioral training where participants learn the game rules and play multiple games against computer opponents of varying difficulty. The second session occurs in person and involves brain imaging using magnetoencephalography (MEG) or functional MRI (fMRI) while participants evaluate mid-game board positions and select the best moves. Eye movements are also recorded during this session. Throughout the study, researchers will collect data on game performance, brain activity, and eye tracking to fit computational models of planning. They will measure the percent of moves correctly predicted by the behavioral model and the brain activity during the tasks. Participation includes online training, in-person neuroimaging, and possible additional gameplay after scanning. The total involvement spans about two consecutive days with assessments of decision-making and brain function.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Identifying the Neural Correlates of Mental Simulation in Multi-Step Planning
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 18 to 64 years
- Healthy volunteers
- Able to complete two sessions on consecutive days, including online training and in-person brain imaging
You will not qualify if you...
- History of neurological or psychiatric illness
- Vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, prisoners, or cognitively impaired individuals
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (online or in-person)
Duration - 1 session on Day 1
Participants complete a 60-minute online behavioral session to learn the Four-in-a-Row game rules, complete a comprehension quiz, and play multiple games against computer opponents at varying difficulty levels.
1 online session
Duration - 1 session on Day 2
Participants complete an in-person neuroimaging session with simultaneous eye tracking, performing the Four-in-a-Row planning task during MEG including a feature localizer and primary planning task. After the neuroimaging session, participants may optionally play a full match outside the scanner for additional reward.
1 in-person session
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
New York University
New York, New York, United States, 10012
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
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